A ‘hidden gem’ on the Maine coast was named the best small town

Travel

You’ll find it in the Downeast Maine Acadia region.

A small picturesque town along the Maine coast that’s full of history is a standout in the Northeast, according to USA Today.

The publication named the best small towns in America on Wednesday, part of its 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and Castine, Maine ranked No. 1 in the Northeast. It also ranked No. 3 among the 10 best small coastal towns and No. 8 among the 10 best small historic towns in America.

The 10 best small towns in the Northeast each have a population of fewer than 25,000. Here is what USA Today wrote about Castine:

A hidden gem on the Maine coast, Castine is rich with history and maritime charm dating back to the 1600s. Visitors love to stroll through its elm tree-lined streets to admire the well-preserved 18th-century architecture, visit the Wilson Museum, or explore Fort George, a remnant of the town’s Revolutionary War past.

Four other New England small towns made the list of best in the Northeast: Montpelier, Vermont ranked No. 3; Wiscasset, Maine ranked No. 6; Stowe, Vermont ranked No. 7; and Bar Harbor, Maine ranked No. 9. Bar Harbor also ranked No. 4 on the best small coastal town list (Pismo Beach, California ranked No. 1).

“The Northeast is a region of diverse landscapes, rich history, and charming towns,” wrote the publication. “From coastal getaways to mountain retreats and cultural hubs to outdoor adventure havens, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the small towns of this region.”

For the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards lists, USA Today travel experts select 20 nominees in topics from food to lodging, destinations to things to do. Then the publication asks readers to cast votes to determine the top 10.

Check out USA Today‘s list of best small towns in the Northeast.

Kristi Palma

Culture writer

 

Kristi Palma is a culture writer for Boston.com, focusing on New England travel. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.